Gun turret especially for armored vehicles

ABSTRACT

A gun turret, especially for armored vehicles, in which the turret is mounted within the outer shell of the vehicle at the top and is tiltable about an axis parallel to the weapon on an azimuth ring which is rotatably supported in the vehicle. The weapon is tiltable in the turret about an axis extending at right angles to the weapon and which last mentioned axis is offset from the axis of rotation of the azimuth ring in a direction toward the weapon.

United States Patent [191 Kohler 11] 3,820,436 1 June 28, 1974 GUNTURRET, ESPECIALLY FOR ARMORED VEHICLES Inventor: Karl Albert Kohler,Vellmar,

Germany Assignee: Rheinstahl Aktiengesellschaft, Essen,

Germany Filed: May 30, 1972 Appl. No.: 257,616

Foreign Application Priority Data June 1, 1971 Germany 2126679 US. Cl.89/36 K, 89/37 G Int. Cl. F4111! 5/20 Field of Search...... 89/36 H, 36K, 37 G, 40 B,

89/41 T, 41 CE References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1951 Bussiereet a1 89/36 K FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 966.693 10/1950 France89/36 K 358.718 l/1962 Switzerland 89/36 H Primary Examiner-Stephen C.Bentley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Walter Becker [57] ABSTRACT A gunturret, especially for armored vehicles, in which the turret is mountedwithin the outer shell of the vehicle at the top and is tiltable aboutan axis parallel to the weapon on an azimuth ring which is rotatablysupported in the vehicle. The weapon is tiltable in the turret about anaxis extending at right angles to the weapon and which last mentionedaxis is offset from the axis of rotation of the azimuth ring in adirection toward the weapon.

2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUNZB 1914 3 820.436

SHEET 2 [IF 2 GUN TURRET, ESPECIALLY FOR ARMORED VEHICLES The presentinvention relates to a gun turret, especially for armored vehicles. Theturret is movable about the transverse side axis and the axis of swing,while the tubular weapon is pivotable on trunnions or gudgeons connectedto the turret skin. The trunnions or gudgeons form the elevation sightof the weapon.

With gun turrets for armored vehicles of the general type referred toabove, there exists the requirement that it should be possible to shootin an aimed manner even when the armored vehicle is on a cross-countrydrive and carries out pitching and rolling motions.

According to a heretofore known design of a gun turret, the ball-shapedturret is tiltably suspended between two shield plates which togetherwith the turret are rotatably journaled in the vehicle. With this designthe shield plates, however, must be so big that they protrude beyond thevehicle whereby the vehicle contour is not only considerably enlarged,but also offers to the enemy an easily recognizable target to be fought.Furthermore, the bearing areas in the shield plates are exposed to outerinfluences so that aside from easily being susceptible to disorders theymay also be easily damaged by being shot at and may even be destroyed.Moreover, the axis of the bore of the weapon tube which simultaneouslyforms the line of action of the recoil force will be located above theturret axis of elevation so that during the firing operation a torquewill be generated which has to be absorbed by the sighting drive.

These moments or torques bring about oscillations which not only resultin faulty hits but also disadvantageously affect the devices and personsin the turret.

It is furthermore known to suspend gun turrets in the vehicle so thatthey are movable in three dimensions, and to install the weapon unit inthe turret either in a rigid maner or so that it can be elevated in theturret.

For vehicles equipped with weapon installations adapted to be elevatedas anti-aircraft weapons, it is known in order to obtain a high sightingrange and to obtain sufficient space for the operating crew, to mountthe weapon installation with its trunnions on both sides as far towardthe front in the turret as possible. In this connection, however, it isdisadvantageous that the spacing between the axis of elevation of theturret and the axis of elevation of the weapon is rather great.Consequently when the weapon is elevated in such a mannerthat theeffective line of the recoil does not intersect the axis of elevation ofthe turret, considerable torques may act upon the turret stabilizingdrive. These torques affect the stabilizing precision and frequently donot permit an optimum installation arrangement for the weapon.

It is, therefore, an object ofthe present invention while maintainingthe principle of the threedimensional weapon installation, to provide anarrangement for the turret suspension according to which no recoiltorques can act upon the turret so that the place of installation forthe weapon can be freely selected.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly from the following specification, in connection 'with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a longitudinal section through thegun turret with tubular weapon and vehicle as well as mounting of thegun turret.

FIG. 2 shows a view as seen from the mouth of the weapon barrel whilethe vehicle is illustrated as being partly broken up.

The foregoing objects are attained according to the present invention byhaving the gun turret journaled for movement about the canting or tiltaxis. This joumaling is effected by two bolts in bearing eyes whichserve as plate walls and which are located within the shell or body ofthe vehicle. The trunnions of the weapon installation are arranged inspaced relationship to the traverse sight axis of the turret and abovethe axis of swing of the turret.

The special joumaling of the gun turret according to the invention inthe vehicle shell has also proved advantageous, inasmuch as the axis ofswing is mounted completely protected against projectiles, splinters,dust and weather influences.

According to a further development of the invention, one drive each isrespectively provided for the stabilizing movement, the traversesighting movement, and the movement along the axis of swing of theturret as well as for the movement along the elevating sight axis of theweapon installation.

Still another feature according to the present inven tion consists inthat the drives for the sighting and stabilization may selectively be ofa mechanical, hydraulic, or electric nature.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be noted therefrom thatthe azimuth bearing 2 with its outer ring 3 is non-rotatably arranged inthe partially illustrated shell 1 of the armored vehicle. The gun turret5 rests upon the rotatable inner ring 4 and thus is rotatable for thetraverse sighting movement about the vertical axis X X. The inner ring 4of the azimuth bearing 2 is connected to a stabilizing and sightingdrive or motor means 6 and has an upwardly protruding diaphragm ring orcircular wall 7 extending through the opening in the shell ceiling. Ringor wall 7 has two bearing eyes 8, 8' which are located diametricallyopposite to each other while serving as shield walls, said bearing eyes8, 8' being of U-shaped cross section and being located within thevehicle shell 1. Bolts 9, 9 are journaled in said bearing eyes 8, 8 andsupport the gun turret 5 by means of bearings l0, 10'. The turret 5 is,by means of a nonillustrated stabilizing and sighting drive pivotableabout the axis of swing Y Y. Outside the traverse sight axis X X andabove the axis of swing Y Y there is journaled a weapon installation 11for the elevating movement in the gun turret. Joumaling thereof iseffected by trunnions 13,, 13' respectively arranged on opposite sideson the weapon tube or weapon barrel 12. The two trunnions 13, 13' arearranged transverse to the axis of swing Y Y so that the axis of thebore of weapon tube 12 and the axis of swing Y Y extend in a verticalplane. The drive for the elevational sighting movementis likewise notillustrated. The rotatable inner ring 4 of the azimuth bearing 2 isprovided with a follower 14 which is operatively connected to a turnconnector located in the vicinity of the bottom of the shell. Connectedto the gun turret 5 is a column 16 which extends toward the bottom ofthe shell and has a seat 17 adjustable as to height.

As will be evident from the foregoing, the arrangement according to thepresent invention has various advantages which primarily may be listedas follows: The weapon installation can be effected in conformity withthe space requirement for the crew and in conformity with the weapontechnological requirements in the turret. The stabilizing precision isnot affected by recoil moments originating with the weapon installation.Furthermore, inasmuch as with the arrangement of the present inventionand in contrast to heretofore known devices, the turret is stabilized inthe elevation, and the weapon is not only sighted but is also stabilizedas well as sighted, it is possible to stabilize far greater elevationalangles or axes of swing, depending on the turret position which is notpossible in view of the limited pivoting space in the vehicle if a pureturret stabilization were utilized. 7

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by nomeans, limited to the particular showing in the drawings, but alsocomprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an armored vehicle having an outer shell, a circular azimuthbearing inside and below the top of said shell, an azimuth ringrotatable about a vertical axis on said azimuth bearing, diametricallyopposed bearing eyes on said ring below the top of said shell and on ahorizontal axis, coaxial shaft means in said bearing eyes, turret meanshaving top and side walls above said shell mounted on said azimuth ringby said coaxial shaft means, said azimuth ring having a circular wallextending about said turret above said shell, a weapon mounted ontrunnions in the side walls of said turret means on an axis at rightangles to the axes of said azimuth ring and said coazial shaft means,said weapon including a shield movable about the axis of said trunnionand covering the opening for said weapon in the walls of said turret.

2. A gun turret according to claim 1 in which the axis of said trunnionsintersects the firing axis of said weapon to form an elevational axis.

1. In an armored vehicle having an outer shell, a circular azimuthbearing inside and below the top of said shell, an azimuth ringrotatable about a vertical axis on said azimuth bearing, diametricallyopposed bearing eyes on said ring below the top of said shell and on ahorizontal axis, coaxial shaft means in said bearing eyes, turret meanshaving top and side walls above said shell mounted on said azimuth ringby said coaxial shaft means, said azimuth ring having a circular wallextending about said turret above said shell, a weapon mounted ontrunnions in the side walls of said turret means on an axis at rightangles to the axes of said azimuth ring and said coazial shaft means,said weapon including a shield movable about the axis of said trunnionand covering the opening for said weapon in the walls of said turret. 2.A gun turret according to claim 1 in which the axis of said trunnionsintersects the firing axis of said weapon to form an elevational axis.